80/81 concludes with Pat bringing it all together with acoustic guitars. For all of the different aspects of jazz (and “jazz folk”) on display on this record, there’s something about Metheny’s final song that really does feel like a true, integrated conclusion. Certainly all of these years of listening have imparted some of that feel, but it seemed this way on first listen as well.

Extending that feeling, “Goin’ Ahead” also feels like it’s giving a little bit of an introduction to the vastly open sound soon to surface on As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls. Sure, I don’t really know the composition/recording dates so clearly this is just my perception. But it does fit into what Metheny has said about the individual parts of his discography being parts of one long song.

Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the woods of central New Hampshire. A past contributor to Jazz.com, Blogcritics.org and Salon, he originated several of our weekly features including the Friday Morning Listen, (Cross the) Heartland, WTF! Wednesday, and Sparks Fly on E Street. Follow him on Twitter: @msaleski. Contact Something Else! at reviews@somethingelsereviews.com.